Alcohol consumption down 5% 2020-21
New provisional data from Revenue shows that alcohol consumption fell by 4.7% between 2020 and 2021.
New provisional data from Revenue shows that alcohol consumption fell by 4.7% between 2020 and 2021.
There was an even more dramatic fall of 9.6% between 2019 and 2021, showing the true impact of Covid-related restrictions and closures on hospitality venues.
Beer and cider consumption saw the most dramatic declines due to their popularity in the on-trade. Beer consumption fell by 18.3% between 2019 and 2021 and cider was down by 15.1% during this period. However respective Duty receipts of €351.2 million for beer and €51.4 million for cider indicate that the Revenue take on beer in 2021 remained much the same as for 2020, but there was a fall of 3.2% in Revenue takings for cider.
Beer consumption in 2021 was 1.2% down on that of 2020 while cider was down by 4.3% during this period.
Wine consumption was down by 13.1% between 2020 and 2021 and by 2.7% between 2019 and 2021. At €384.6 million, duty receipts for wine in 2021 were down 9.5% on the €424.8 million figure for 2020 but they were up nearly 2% on the €377.9 million figure for 2019.
Spirits consumption remained relatively static, rising by 1.9% between 2019 and 2021 (it rose by just 1.2% between 2020 and 2021).
At €388.7 million, spirits’ revenue receipts for 2021 were up 4% on those of 2019 while they were up 3.8% on the 2020 figure of €374.3 million.
“This latest data shows the continued decline in alcohol consumption in Ireland, exacerbated by the pandemic,” said Drinks Ireland Director
Patricia Callan, “Alcohol consumption is now at its lowest level in 20 years, down by about 30% since the peak of 2001.
“The industry has worked hard to continue to tackle alcohol misuse. The growing trend we see at home and in other established international markets is people choosing to drink quality over quantity, which we welcome and will continue to encourage.”
